Minor forest products (MFPs), or non-timber forest products (NTFPs), are the potential pillars of sustainable forestry, catering to the changing needs of the people in the changing environment. Hence they throw out a strong challenge: planning and growing forests for the future to ensure a sustained and increased flow of NTFP resources. This calls for a sound information base and an integrated multidisciplinary approach for implementation in development schemes.

The Center of Minor Forest Products (COMFORPTS) is devoted to the promotion of MFPs/NTFPs through need-based sustainable forest management. To support these efforts, COMFORPTS is building up a pool of information on all categories of NTFPs and their hitherto unknown and under appreciated economic aspects. Seminars, technical assistance, and liaison with research, manufacturing and marketing organizations and individuals are all attempts to fulfill the above objective.

1. Create awareness of the role and utilization of minor forest products (MFPs) including aspects of ethno-botany through various media including television to create interest in growing MFP crops and sustainable management of MFPs in different forest ecosystems.

The Centre publishes a quarterly newsletter,"MFP News" in both English and Hindi. It has a wide circulation in India and abroad and is abstracted by CAB International. The Centre also publishes a "Journal of NTFP." Its inaugural issue is devoted to proceedings of the "International Seminar on MFPs in Forestry" held in April, 1993. Various other publications, including a number of case studies and books on NTFPs, are also underway.